Metro Manila, Philippines – House prosecutors may classify Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte as a hostile witness when he is presented at the impeachment trial of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte.
House prosecutor Keith Flores said the mayor’s previous public statements indicate that he has an interest in preventing his sister’s conviction.
“I think the statements that have been released by the mayor would show that he could be a hostile witness,” Flores told ‘The Newsmaker’.
A witness is considered hostile if the person is uncooperative, shows open antagonism, or gives testimony that harms or contradicts the case of the party who called them to the stand, in this case the prosecution panel.
If the impeachment court rules that the mayor is a hostile witness, the prosecution can ask him direct and leading questions.
Mayor Duterte has confirmed that the Davao City government has millions of pesos in transactions with GenCorp Industries, Inc., an entity listed on the statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth of the vice president, but said he did not know that his sister has been connected with the company.
A Securities and Exchange Commission official, however, told the impeachment court that corporate records did not show that the vice president was in the board of directors or an officer of the company.
The House prosecution is seeking to conclude its presentation of evidence by the middle of October.
